Summer by the sea

Two summers ago, I had the opportunity to join a group of researchers on Catalina Island off the coast of LA to do field research culturing little planktic critters called foraminifera. I didn't have a true 'project' that year, but set out to culture the forams that live much deeper than the forams that are typically grown in culture, N. dutertrei. These forams not only live deeper in the water column, but are much more difficult to maintain in culture. After having some success culturing the 'deep-dwellers', we applied for and were recently funded for a 3 year project that included 2 summer field seasons on the lovely Catalina Island. And so, I am back on the island.

Last time I was here, I promised friends back home that I'd blog. I never did. 

This year, I said I would blog again and am stickin' to that promise. Really, I am.

Only I've been on the island for about 5 weeks now and haven't written a blog post. Why? Days on this island are LONG. I mean REALLY long. We work hard. We are up with the sun, out on the water or in the lab ALL DAY and then, when we are done working hard, we play harder. When we have free time you'll find us running, hiking, kayaking, having dock time (dock o'clock - my favorite time of day). I rarely have time to reply to emails let alone blog. Next year, I'll be back for another field season and I'll be a better blogger. 

I promise. 

Until then, I'll post some great pictures. Soon.